<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>    THE SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION 
            EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS FOR THE
            PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
            ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>1000
       
                                      
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                           SEP-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                             AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-TYPE>                            12-MOS
<CASH>                                       3,570
<SECURITIES>                                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                               24,614
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,727
<INVENTORY>                                 11,260
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            41,589
<PP&E>                                     141,919
<DEPRECIATION>                              56,045
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             148,860
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       26,927
<BONDS>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            0
<PREFERRED>                                      0
<COMMON>                                        11
<OTHER-SE>                                 (21,416)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               148,860
<SALES>                                    176,234
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           176,234
<CGS>                                      140,714
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              140,714
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            27,853
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          13,795
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             (4,982)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (571)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         (4,411)
<DISCONTINUED>                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  0
<CHANGES>                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                (4,411)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                               ($0.37)
<EPS-DILUTED>                               ($0.37)